James Rodriguez to join Napoli on loan from Real Madrid in transfer worth nearly £90m
JAMES RODRIGUEZ is reportedly set to join Napoli on loan from Real Madrid in a deal worth nearly £90million.
The Colombian star, 27, will join the Italian giants on a one-year deal with an option to make the move permanent.
Corriere dello Sport claim that the deal has been completed, but neither club have announced the transfer.
Rodriguez will reunite with former boss Carlo Ancelotti in Italy following their time together at the Bernabeu.
Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis told Radio Kiss Kiss: "We have always said that we need two full-backs and one striker.
"James Rodriguez fits the image of what Carlo Ancelotti wants.
"I don't know much he 100 per cent answers our needs, but we certainly can't put his skill in doubt. At a certain point one must then empower his coach.
"If he [Ancelotti] wants him for Napoli, it is because he knows how useful he [James] can be, even if he is very expensive. I said, 'Let's go ahead'."
The La Liga giants are willing to sell the Colombian as he has failed to live up to expectations since he joined from Monaco in 2014 for £63m.
Rodriguez scored 36 goals in 111 appearances for Madrid before he was shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich.
The German club declined the chance to sign him permanently - which led to Manchester United and Arsenal being linked.
But Napoli are set to fork out more than £89m to sign him including wages, signing-on fees and the future transfer fee.